“Oh good gravy!”
(My newest expression used in times of frustration. Please don’t tell me there’s something wrong with it; I could have said something else, have often said something else, but please don’t take my “good gravy” away from me. Thanks to Jet and Cord, cowboy brothers currently running “The Amazing Race” on CBS, I have a new expression for my moments of frustration. It’s nice watching two brothers being kind to one another on this show, considering that most of the other paired contestants are challenged when it comes to kindness and to finding alternate expressions for the four-letter expletives that flow like water from their mouths. Yes, I love me some clean-shaven, boot-wearin’, nice-talking, momma-lovin’ cowboys.)
Back to my “good gravy.” (Which, by the way, I couldn’t make any to save my life. I’m not a cook. On Monday I ventured into the kitchen to make spaghetti for my family and set the smoke alarms off… I’m not kidding. But I digress, again. I imagine it might happen to me a great deal over the next three months. My brain is being pulled in a thousand different directions. Bear with me, K?)
Anyway, yesterday I made the brave decision to venture into one of our closets in our spare bedroom. Not just any closet; the “Beth Moore” closet. Yes, I admit it… I have one. My husband added shelving to the closet several years ago as my Bible study resources began to multiply. Along the way, Beth’s made shelf-room for some of her other author friends. Over the past six years, I’ve accumulated curriculum kits that include:
Beth’s
- Jesus the One and Only
- John the Beloved
- Believing God
- Psalms of Ascent
- Esther
- Daniel
- The Patriarchs
- Living Beyond Yourself
- A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place
Nancy DeMoss’s Seeking Him
Priscilla Shirer’s One in a Million
Jennifer Rothschild’s Fingerprints of God & Me, Myself, and Lies
Alicia Chole’s Anonymous
I’m sure I’m leaving something out… help me Bible study gals! That’s a lot of meals out, friends, approximately $3000 worth of eating out or buying clothes or taking a nice vacation with my family, but I’m not bitter, I’m just sayin’, that’s all. And then there are the file boxes crammed with other teachings, ones I’ve developed and ones that I used prior to our moving here (a spiritual gifts study, advent study, Easter study, etc.). Oh, and the “props” attached to the studies (the golden scepter, the crown, the fountains, the candles, the dozen or so table cloths made to match the colors of the bookcovers, etc).
And lest I leave out the rest of the closet’s contents, how about the 100 or so CD’s that have done little more than collect dust over the past six years, and the craft supplies crammed in the upper corner, along with an endless supply of gift bags and wrapping ribbon, and the spiral notebooks crammed with study notes to which I will never again refer; not because they aren’t worthy, but because there is absolutely no organization to any of it.
And this is just one closet, friends (HELP ME, Cindy!). The more I dug, the more I found. Quickly I was surrounded in a sea of struggle, and with tears running down my face, I simply looked up to God and offered my “Good gravy!”
His response?
“Yes, Elaine, a lot of it.”
And as I looked around me, on the bed and stacked all over the floor, I saw the witness of a good investment, some “good gravy.” I could have invested my money elsewhere. Even more importantly, I could have invested my time in a thousand alternate directions, but as I began to sort and pitch—being careful to hold onto the good and eliminate the non-essentials—my heart was tendered by the reality of what God has done through me over the past six years, most days in spite of me.
Not only has he taught me a great deal about his Word via some awesome Bible study mentors, he’s allowed me the lavish fellowship of friends who have come alongside me to share in the teaching. My Tuesday night gals have made the investment worth it. Collectively, we carry the wealth of the kingdom within us, exponentially increasing its value everywhere we go. We may not be able to recall with specificity all the valuable insights we’ve received via the fourteen-plus studies we’ve done together, but we’ve certainly taken hold of the one thread that’s been woven throughout them all.
Jesus Christ and the life-altering truth of his Word.
That’s why most of the participants kept coming back to study on Tuesday nights. They understood it wasn’t about me, but about God. About learning more, seeking more, growing more, living more. About realizing that the “more” is best lived within the context of community, rather than in isolation. Could we have grown in our spiritual walkabouts with Jesus apart from one another? Certainly. God’s Word tells us that he has given us everything we need in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith and understanding of his truth (see 1 John 2:24-27). But without one another, we would have grown differently, perhaps at a slower pace and without the benefit of sacred participation—of having our hearts intersect for a season so as to bring about a richer, fuller expression of faith.
My Tuesday gals have been my “charge and keep” for a long season, my very “good gravy” and then some. They will continue on without me, for they have seen the merit of what it all means. I’m not sure if I’ll be facilitating another study come fall in my new home, but one thing is for certain.
I’ll carry my closet with me as I go. And should my new home have ample room for a “Beth Moore” closet, I’ll tenderly unpack each study, give them a place of individual prominence, and be thankful for the “good gravy” that has already come to me because of their presence in my life.
Thank you, Beth, Priscilla, Jennifer, Nancy, and Alicia. Most importantly, thank you Tuesday night gals for making Bible study a priority and Jesus Christ, all the more. He is our anchor, our Teacher, and our very great Reward. Keep to him all the days of your lives and see if he is not faithful to fill your plate with enough “good gravy” to keep you well fed for the pilgrimage home. I love you more than words will allow. As always…
peace for the journey,
PS: For those of you interested in simplifying your life and especially your home, Cindy at “Letters from Midlife” has done umpteen posts along these lines. You can find them HERE. Thanks, Cindy. I imagine that I’ll be revisiting your thoughts/words often in the weeks to come.
Copyright © March 2010 – Elaine Olsen
Good Gravy indeed!
I count your blog as an ingredient in my good gravy!
Elaine…I often use that expression and now I will always think of this post whenever I say it.
You have poured a lot of "good gravy" into my life. Savoring the Savior with ever visit here…every phone call…every e-mail. You always invite me to taste and see that God is good.
Gravy is the seasoned juice from meat…and you always seem to have an abundance to share from the meat of His Word. You add flavour to my life my friend…through sharing His teaching on your heart.
Still in much prayer for you,
Hugs,
Joy
Kristen and Joy…
You know you two were some of my first visitors on the blogging adventure! I count you amongst the faithful. Love you so much.
Elaine…..In your "next" I believe you'll experience His stirring and seasoning in a way you've never seen or tasted before! It's His recipe and He's the Ultimate Chef!! And oh what a meal He's preparing for you!!
Thank you for pouring your Good Gravy upon my life through your blog………I'm always ready for another helping of what He's stirring within your heart…….Perfectly seasoned and ladled with wisdom, conviction, encouragement and love!!
Oh, I thought you'd be interested to know that my sis from NC (the one I told you about grad from Asbury and her husband pastor in NC – loved your Wilmore slideshow BTW) is visiting with me and we read your blog this morning as a devotional……She more than most completely understands where you are right now….has walked the same ministry path for many many years and is praying for you and your husband as you enter your "next" season of His calling.
He is Faithful!
Love, Hugs and Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
Hi Elaine! Good gravy… such a cute expression! : ) I love that you have so many Beth Moore books and materials!! She is truly wonderful and her studies are LIFE CHANGING for me!! : ) Praise God for how he spoke to you during closet cleaning time!! 🙂
Hi, Elaine! My aunt used to say "good gravy." I always loved hearing it.
Yes, your life and heart surely show everyone who knows you that you have put a lot of seasoning and time into the Lord, and you give us all a lot of "good gravy," spiritual nourshiment, soul food for our hungry hearts.
I'm in process of collecting material and hope one day to share it as soul food for whoever will listen. Truly, I wish I could be present for your Bible studies! How blessed I would be! I know your ladies must appreciate you so much!
Blessings, friend! I can't wait to see what the Lord has waiting for you!!!
Love,
Andrea
"Good gravy" may be your expression, but 'meat and potatoes' is your blog!!
What a picture you paint with words Elaine, 'gravy' has forever been replaced in my vocabulary… to include SO MUCH MORE than calories!
Hugs!
Sonja
elaine,
i can't thank you enough for sending
me to the organizational guru!
she helped me as much in those
10 bullets as a lifetime of magazine
articles!
good luck with your gravy. i would
try to help, but i am a very bad
influence. 🙂
blessings,
lea
Great post Elaine. I've collected some too. I, too, am going to have to move by the end of Summer. I'm going to donate some books to my library. Blessing others in this way is great.
Wow, Elaine…that's alot of gravy indeed! I'm impressed with you collection. Evidence of a heart invested and sharing freely. My collection doesn't hold a candle to yours.
I've been away for a bit and it's so nice to come back here for a visit. Looking forward to reading back a few posts as well.
Happy Spring!
Your husband really gets it making you shelves like that. A teacher, speaker, student needs all those resources! So glad you share your journey with us; you are delightful.
I love Amazing Race and those cowboys. You have some precious wonderful memories in all that stuff!
Bless your heart! I cannot believe you had all of that stored there….what a wonderful resource closet! I understand….truly. And the good gravy…oh, it is GOOD! And all of the giblets are those precious ladies who have studied the Word with you! (I really do mean that in the sweetest way!!)
Here's my question….did you say "craft supplies?" Surely I saw that correctly! I am QUITE impressed!
Love you!
Susan
Well, I have to admit I have never heard that expression before…we southern gals read "good gravy" and receive it as such…
So I was intrigued to see how gravy and Beth Moore would be woven together…you did not disappoint…
I haven't been following you for very long, but I have never left a post without a new outlook on some point…thanks for being a blessing in my life!
It's always the meat that I love when I come here! The gravy on top makes it all the better.
What awesome memories you carry with you inside those boxes. I just smiled and smiled looking at them.
You're something special, lady.
A southern gal knows that good gravy always makes things better, right?!
Setting off the smoke alarms, eh? In my house, that just means dinner's about ready!
Love you,
Beth
My goodness! (How's that for an original expression? 🙂 )
If you decide to get rid of some of those studies, send them my way!
Just today I made a list of everything we have to get rid of to go back to the states. We have 6 suitcases of stuff we can keep, one per person…the rest goes. How difficult it it!
Elaine…must be tight right now…packing up and all. I like your humor and joy between your tears. Yes…good gravy and the Beth Moore Closet. I know He has good plans for you…TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. And oh yes…a BOOK CONTRACT! In Jesus Name.
Love and blessings,
Gladwell
Thanks for the link to my blog. You seem to have the reorganizing of the closet well in hand despite the emotional side of it which is always a challenge for me in my efforts as well.
But look at the legacy all the stuff represents! Yes, get rid of what is no longer needed but keep the important lessons gleaned from the journey.
How is the book coming? I've been praying for you.
I love Beth Moore. A couple of friends and myself, meet on Monday nights to watch "Wednesdays with Beth" online. That's some good gravy 🙂
I'm an Amazing Race fan, too, Elaine. Love the new spin you put on "good gravy". I won't ever think of that phrase in the same way again. I thank God for all the good gravy he's poured into my life!
This has been good gravy for me today Elaine. Of course I always know that when I visit you, I will leave with a full spirit. 🙂
I sent your package out yesterday. Please let me know when you receive it. Hope you enjoy it.
I haven't heard that phrase for a long time! This brought back a LOT of memories. The sorting and packing ALSO brought a lot of memories. My heart and prayers are in your direction. I can't wait to hear where you land.
I can't make gravy either, Elaine. I know how to use a packet of powdered gravy mix in a recipe, but that's about as far as I go. *sheepish grin*
So thankful Jesus can make good gravy in spite of my inadequacies!
i like that "good gravy"…:)
garner is not too far from me…email me and we will have to plan to meet! ([email protected])
Love the the cowboys on Amazing Race…
Love Beth Moore and all the other incredible women you listed…love their Bible studies…
Love the idea of the closet, totally jealous of it!
And Good Gravy, I love readiing your blog. You plum make me smile!
Hope you are having a great week!
wifeforthejourney:
Another chapter is being penned in our journey – where better to start than the "Beth Moore" closet?!? There is a lot of family history we have wedged into the last six years of home life.
What a blessing for you to be able to have so many of your bloggy-friends to share your gravy!
Home with more Diet Coke for the journey soon!
Love you,
Billy
Oh, Elaine, I can so identify with your "Beth Moore"closet! I don't have a closet for my books and Bible studies but do have most of them in a large bookcase now. Before a couple of months ago they were here and there. When my stepmother passed away and we were getting rid of the things in my Daddy's house I asked for a large bookcase they had. Benny put it right beside my computer desk and now it's SO much easier to reach my study materials when I'm working!
Love you sister!!!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Aww, this is some "good gravy" of a message Elaine!
As I read I smiled and cried a bit because what you are saying was me in 2006. After 7 years of my Women's Ministry meeting a few times per month in my home in VA we were relocating to Fl and for your Beth Moore closet I had a Joyce Meyer, John Maxwell, Beth Moore, Dr. Samuel Chand and a few others closet too. I too stood in the middle of it all along with a ton of boxes of ministering items, papers, Christian magazines and other tools and just CRIED and for your "good gravy" my word was one I grew up hearing, "great googamooga". I know…I know..don't ask. It sounds better said then spelled (smile).
My friend GOD has a next for you and just as I ended up unpacking all of mine and while God has taken me in a different direction from what was in VA but still His "next" is perfect and will be for you too!
Love you!
i've got some good gravy collected over the years as well. when i look through it, it always takes me down memory lane. like you, i am so grateful for the women God has given me to share His Word with and "do life" with.
we are all blessed as a result of your years of faithful study, elaine!
HI Elaine! It has been a long time since I've been able to stop by and comment…..Hope you are well.
I just want to say that the next time I need a bible study resourse – I'm calling you!!!
Actually we are starting Priscilla Shirer's One in A Million this Sunday.
Also – are you just cleaning out or are you moving? Loaded question, huh? sorry.